South Asia
India is the largest and most populous country in South Asia and the second most populous in the world behind China. The whole region is home to over 20% of the total world population and is the most densely populated geographical region in the world.
South Asia, a peninsular region, is bordered by the Himalayas on the north, the Hindu Kush in the west, and the Arakan Yoma in the east. It extends southward into the Indian Ocean with the Arabian Sea to the southwest and the Bay of Bengal to the southeast. The complex patterns of international boundaries in this region hint at mountainous terrain, a turbulent past and on-going territorial disputes.
South Asia, has more than 2,000 ethnic entities, due to invasion and settlement, with populations ranging from hundreds of millions to small tribal groups.
Poverty is commonly spread within this region. About 75% of South Asia's poor live in rural areas and most rely on agriculture for their livelihood. It has one of the highest child malnutrition rates in the world.
Since the 1950s most South Asian countries have achieved tremendous progress in the fields of education; industry; health care; information technology and other services.